Entry
The election of 10 May 1981 — The Fifth Republic’s first alternation
Carried by his 110 propositions, Mitterrand defeated Giscard in the runoff; at eight o’clock, France discovered his face on the screens, and the Bastille danced in the rain. The left came to power for the first time under the Fifth Republic. (Editorial synthesis)
The election of 10 May 1981 ended in 51.76% — the left in power for the first time under the Fifth. (source: INA)
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